How often have you met someone who promises publicly to give back? Even more will invest in spreading peace, love, and happiness through investing in people, protecting animals, and conserving the environment; further, support veterans’ causes and help build an innovative community for homeless people. I read an article about a philanthropic leader, and the word that instantly came to my mind was empathy for someone I hadn’t even met in person.
Let’s dive deeper into how empathy can elevate a leader’s significance, why it’s crucial to develop this skill, and how to achieve it.
You may be familiar with the individual I am speaking of – John Paul DeJoria, the co-founder of Paul Mitchell.
According to a Forbes article, Dejoria’s motto is “Success unshared is failure.” In 2011, John Paul signed Bill Gates and Warren Buffet’s “The Giving Pledge” as a formal promise to continue giving back. The same year, he established JP’s Peace, Love & Happiness Foundation as a hub for his charitable investments, which support the core values of his companies: sustainability, social responsibility, and animal-friendliness.
Having empathy is essential for leaders. It allows them to understand others, create a positive work environment, build trust, and foster collaboration.
DeJoria is known for his empathy and commitment to helping others. He has been a vocal advocate for social justice and has donated millions of dollars to charities and causes worldwide. He exemplifies how empathy can elevate a leader beyond success, propelling them to significance.
Empathy is a powerful tool in various areas of our lives. By improving our capacity for empathy, we can influence and motivate teams to reach unprecedented levels of success under our leadership.
Let’s look at how we can improve our ability to have empathy:
- Listen actively: It’s important to truly listen and understand others rather than just responding or pushing your ideas. It can significantly affect how we communicate and connect with others.
- Practice with yourself: It’s important to remember that we should treat ourselves with the same level of kindness and empathy we would offer others. Sometimes, we can be our own harshest critics. Take notice of your thoughts and emotions and show yourself the same compassion and care you would give a beloved friend or family member.
- Respect others: Showing respect encompasses various actions, including standing up for what you believe in, recognizing the viewpoints of others, and genuinely listening without preconceived notions. By demonstrating respect, we can enhance our ability to empathize with others and, in turn, receive their empathy.
- Ask meaningful questions: It’s important to show genuine interest in the person we’re speaking with by asking open-ended questions that aren’t intrusive and avoiding being critical or judgmental. This approach can help us gain valuable insights and foster mutual understanding.
- Put yourself in the other person’s shoes: It’s essential to take a moment to put ourselves in others’ shoes and consider their experiences before making judgments so we cultivate empathy and compassion towards others.
- Step out of your comfort zone: It can be difficult to understand those different from us, but it’s important to challenge ourselves to try. By stepping outside our comfort zones, we can overcome prejudices and better understand other cultures. Let’s work on empathizing with one another and building bridges of understanding.
- Show compassion: It’s essential to show compassion towards someone going through a tough time. Putting yourself in others’ shoes and being kind, understanding, and supportive can make a huge difference. Remember that everyone goes through difficult times, and a little empathy can go a long way in helping them feel understood and cared for.
- Act: Demonstrating empathy involves more than just feeling sorry for somebody. It includes acting and helping when necessary. Consider how you can offer aid and support to improve someone’s situation, such as by extending a helping hand or lending an ear to their worries.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by developing this strategy, don’t worry. We’re here to support you in your personal and professional growth. Our goal is to help you become the leader you’ve always wanted to be and to build teams that will propel your organization to new heights of success. We aim to support you in reaching your aspirations and bringing your visions to life.
Question: How can you develop your capacity for empathy?